Developers of oil and gas technology are calling on major North Sea operators to work more closely together to find solutions to the industry's most pertinent technology issues as they convene at the fifth ITF Technology Showcase next month.

ITF, in partnership with the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) and PILOT, will host the event which is taking place at the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre (AECC) on November 1 and is free for delegates to attend.

It aims to discover and discuss the latest technology challenges in theindustry and address six key areas for development as identified byoperators. These include EOR and production optimisation, seismic andreservoir characterisation, subsea and asset integrity. For the first time,the event will not only feature a 60 stand exhibition by innovativetechnology developers, it also boasts presentations from industry leadersand one-to-one sessions for delegates to talk directly to the decisionmakers.

Trevor Garlick, regional president of BP North Sea, will present the keynote speech which will focus on the importance of technological innovation and industry collaboration. Managing directors and COOs from the major global operators and service companies will be attending.

Max Rowe, Chairman of ITF, said: "The importance of technology in the oil and gas industry is increasing and ITF's showcase will demonstrate the innovation coming from Scotland and further afield to conquer thechallenges. Technology development is also important to the growth of the economy and will provide continued career opportunities in this sector.

"The event has been a great success over the past four years and we are taking it to its largest scale yet. It opens the doors for technologydevelopers to tap into a wider audience for their inventions and gives access to the most significant names in the sector under one roof."

Exhibitor and Northern Star award winner Paradigm Flow Services, has brought a number of patented technologies to the global oil and gas industry which help operators meet fire safety requirements and also maintain production by detecting, remediating and preventing subsea and topside blockages. Rob Bain is managing director, he said: "Sustaining margins and production is becoming increasingly dependent upon the development of new technology systems. Extending the life of assets is crucial for the industry going forward and innovation is essential to address the problem of ageing infrastructure.

"Understandably, operators have been somewhat cautious when highlighting their technology needs as they don't want to be seen to have gaps in their capabilities. However, by discussing and working through the challenges facing the future success of the industry, issues can be targeted and solved quickly and efficiently. The showcase will be the ideal arena to urge all those working in the industry into action."

The Underwater Centre will also be exhibiting at the event. The Centre,based in Fort William, is the ideal facility in which to perform subseatraining, trials and testing, providing real-life conditions at a fractionof the cost, and operational consideration, of going offshore. Technicalmarketing manager Douglas Ormiston said the event was a great chance to network with technology developers in the energy sector.

"The Underwater Centre has an important role to play in the process oftechnology development through the trialling opportunities that we have to offer. Our facilities in Fort William allow us to offer technologydevelopers a unique opportunity to test their new designs within a controlled environment, in industry-like conditions. The showcase will give us a platform to foster further collaboration within the industry, and to look at potential partnerships for developing technology required by the oil, gas and renewables sectors."

The exhibition itself has already sold out and hundreds of people areexpected to attend the event, which aims to bigger, bolder and moreambitious than previous showcases.